The physician was invited to rest, while the Princess Consort of Jing remained deeply worried. “How could Shuo’er develop a heart ailment at such a young age?”

“Mother need not worry. Didn’t the divine physician say your son is in no serious danger?”

“How can an ailment of the heart and spleen be called ‘no serious danger’?” The Princess Consort shot Prince Jing a sharp look. “This is all because of Your Highness’s terrible idea back then. Otherwise Shuo’er wouldn’t have suppressed himself into developing a heart ailment.”

Prince Jing looked utterly wronged. “Why are we bringing up the past again?”

“Wasn’t it you who said we needed to be careful and cautious after entering the capital, telling our Shuo’er to pretend to be ill?”

The Princess Consort grew irritated just thinking about this matter.

Back in the northern territories, Shuo’er had ridden fine horses in splendid clothes, free and unbridled. At barely ten years old he had already killed Tartars. Yet after arriving in the capital, he became a sickly invalid in the eyes of the world.

As his mother, she saw it with her eyes and felt the pain in her heart. She dreamed of the whole family returning to the northern territories.

“Among all those princes’ heirs, is there even one as wronged as Shuo’er?” As the Princess Consort spoke, her eyes reddened.

These should be years of bold confidence and freedom, yet cooped up at home all day—how could that not make one sick?

“Shuo’er’s situation is rather special.”

The Princess Consort sneered. “It was just some absurd talk at his birth. People only mentioned it in the northern territories—who in the capital still pays attention?”

Prince Jing smiled bitterly. “Princess Consort, please don’t make a fuss. Better safe than sorry—even if others won’t pay attention, who’s to say that person won’t take offense?”

On the day Qi Shuo was born, colorful clouds and radiant light had shrouded Prince Jing’s estate, only slowly dispersing after he was delivered.

People in the northern territories all said that Prince Jing’s heir was destined for extraordinary things.

Parents hearing such rumors would only be delighted—after all, Prince Jing was the undisputed king in the northern territories with nothing to worry about.

The problem arose when Prince An entered the capital and seized the throne, transforming from a prince into the Great Zhou’s Son of Heaven.

If Prince An could become emperor, naturally other princes could as well.

Emperor Tai’an’s succession lacked legitimacy and righteousness, making him especially suspicious. Of course Prince Jing had no such ambitions—but who knew whether the current Son of Heaven might think otherwise?

“Father, Mother, please don’t quarrel, or your son will feel even more guilty.”

The Princess Consort was actually just venting the gloom in her heart. Hearing this, she quickly said, “Your father and I were just bantering for fun. You mustn’t worry needlessly. Your task right now is to rest peacefully and restore your health—that would be the greatest filial piety.”

“A few days ago, Mother mentioned having your son go to my maternal grandfather’s home to escort cousin into the capital—”

The Princess Consort waved her hand. “We’ll just have your second brother go. He’d only be drinking and carousing idly anyway.”

At this moment, the maid Zhenzhu came in to report, “Madam Lin has arrived.”

Prince Jing and the Princess Consort looked at each other.

“Did the Princess Consort invite Madam Lin?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Could the Wen family have regrets?” Prince Jing instinctively glanced at Qi Shuo.

The young man lowered his eyes, appearing utterly calm and indifferent.

Prince Jing snorted.

His son was such a fine talent, yet had been refused. Now they knew regret.

The Princess Consort’s thoughts aligned with Prince Jing’s, and she immediately felt vindicated. “I knew the Wen family would regret it. But this time, don’t expect me to agree readily.”

“What does Shuo’er think?” Prince Jing looked at Qi Shuo.

Qi Shuo smiled. “Father and Mother can decide as you see fit.”

“So we should refuse?” Prince Jing asked tentatively.

“If Father and Mother are dissatisfied, then refuse.”

Prince Jing really couldn’t read anything from his son’s calm face, and couldn’t help but doubt the Princess Consort’s words from the other day. “Didn’t the Princess Consort say Shuo’er had set his heart on Second Miss Wen?”

The Princess Consort secretly pinched Prince Jing. “When did I say Shuo’er had set his heart on Second Miss Wen? Shuo’er just likes beautiful young ladies.”

Qi Shuo: ?

Lin Shi waited in the flower hall for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before seeing the Princess Consort of Jing.

“I’ve kept Madam Lin waiting.”

Lin Shi had a favor to ask and showed an enthusiastic smile. “The Princess Consort has many matters to attend to. I’m the one intruding.”

“Madam Lin, please have some tea.” The Princess Consort picked up her teacup and took a sip, then asked with composure, “May I ask what brings Madam Lin here?”

“It’s like this—I heard the prince’s estate has invited a renowned physician—”

The Princess Consort froze.

This didn’t match her expectations at all.

The Wen family hadn’t come to revive the marriage proposal?

Seeing the Princess Consort remain silent, Lin Shi’s heart sank.

Could Prince Jing’s estate really be so petty as to monopolize the divine physician just because she’d refused the marriage proposal?

After a brief awkward silence, the Princess Consort came to her senses. “There is indeed such a matter.”

Although seeking medical treatment wasn’t anything shameful, the prince’s estate servants were usually quite tight-lipped. How had Madam Lin learned of this?

Seeing that the Princess Consort didn’t seem likely to agree readily, Lin Shi threw caution to the wind. “Princess Consort, to be frank, I’ve come today to ask a favor.”

“What does Madam Lin mean by this?”

Lin Shi wiped the corner of her eye. “After my father passed away, my mother has been depressed and melancholy. Lately she often complains of chest tightness and pain. I heard the renowned physician the prince’s estate invited is especially skilled in such matters, so I’ve come specifically to ask the Princess Consort to have the divine physician go to the General’s Mansion to examine my mother.”

The Princess Consort felt deeply disappointed.

So Madam Lin’s visit was for this reason.

Though she felt stifled, she wouldn’t make things difficult in such matters. “Zhenzhu, go ask the divine physician to accompany Madam Lin.”

“Thank you so much, Princess Consort.” Lin Shi immediately found the Princess Consort amiable and kind, and her dissatisfaction over the prince’s estate’s presumption in seeking her daughter’s hand for their sickly son dissipated just a tiny bit.

Before long, Physician Zhu arrived carrying his medicine box, accompanied by the maid Zhenzhu, and left with Lin Shi for the General’s Mansion.

After Lin Shi departed, the Princess Consort’s expression immediately darkened, and she ordered the steward to investigate who had leaked the information.

The steward quickly investigated the situation and came to report. “It was the gatekeeper who let it slip.”

“Old Wang the gatekeeper has been quite reliable all these years. How could he make such a mistake?”

The steward looked troubled.

The Princess Consort frowned. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

“The gatekeeper says… it was the heir who instructed him.”

The Princess Consort was utterly astonished and immediately went to Qi Shuo’s quarters.

“Why has Mother come?”

The Princess Consort examined her son for several moments. Seeing his complexion was still good, only then did she speak. “Madam Lin came to the estate—it turns out it was to request the divine physician for her mother.”

“So that’s what it was.” Qi Shuo showed a surprised expression.

“Shuo’er, why did you instruct the gatekeeper to casually mention to people about you consulting a physician?”

Qi Shuo’s thin lips pressed together slightly. After a moment of silence, he said, “Your son’s last ‘illness’ was eight years ago. It’s time to occasionally remind the world. That’s why I instructed the gatekeeper not to hide it if anyone asked.”

The Princess Consort sighed. All her doubts transformed into heartache, and she couldn’t help but mutter, “Madam Lin is also too gossipy—seeing a divine physician enter, she actually sent someone specifically to inquire.”

“Indeed.” Qi Shuo smiled faintly.

At the General’s Mansion, after Physician Zhu carefully took the old madam’s pulse, he truly discovered a problem.

Lin Shi was filled with belated fear. “Has Mother’s heart ailment become so serious?”

“The old madam’s ailment originates from stubborn phlegm and stagnant blood. If the stasis is not promptly dissolved and circulation restored, it could lead to severe consequences. This old physician’s Golden Fragrance Pills are quite effective for this condition. Three pills must be taken morning and night…” Physician Zhu solemnly explained the necessary measures.

Wen Hao silently listened to the physician’s words. While feeling fortunate that Grandmother’s illness had been discovered in time, her puzzlement deepened.

Exactly where had the change occurred, allowing this renowned physician who shouldn’t have appeared to come to the General’s Mansion?

A name slowly surfaced in her mind.